Application programming system and method of operation thereof

ABSTRACT

An application programming system includes a number of processors operable to execute software processes, a communication channel between the number of processors, and a registry of object co-operable to create an executable software application. The objects have characteristics which are dynamically alterable at run-time without requiring recompilation of code and re-building of any software processes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an application programming system and, more particularly, to an application programming system which enables the implementation of software applications based on object-oriented programming techniques. The invention extends to a method of operation of the application programming system

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] The implementation of software applications based on object-oriented programming techniques is well known in the art and has been in widespread use since the late 1980's.

[0003] Although providing several noteworthy advantages over classical top-down programming techniques, it is acknowledged that applications based on object-oriented programming techniques are inefficient for a number of reasons:

[0004] 1. traditional object-oriented applications require an underlying database structure to be designed and provided in order to support the application;

[0005] 2. the objects which form the components of an application are local to that application only, without any relationship to extraneous objects or applications;

[0006] 3. the object characteristics such as attributes, properties, inheritances and the like are static in nature. A change to any of these characteristics renders it necessary to recompile the affected objects and rebuild the application;

[0007] 4. there is no global classification of objects, making it very difficult, if not impossible to construct applications which make use of objects which are distributed across a number of remote servers; and

[0008] 5. the separation of objects and data necessitates the provision of separate facilities for data management and streaming of data to physical hardware devices.

[0009] It is desirable to provide an application programming system which allows the development of distributed object-oriented applications which are simple to adapt, modify and extend.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is an object of this invention to provide an application programming system, and a method of operation thereof which will, at least partially, alleviate the abovementioned difficulties and disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with this invention there is provided an application programming system, comprising:

[0012] a number of processors operable to execute software processes;

[0013] a communication channel between the number of processors;

[0014] a registry of objects co-operable to create an executable software application characterised in that

[0015] the objects have a plurality of characteristics which are dynamically alterable at application run-time.

[0016] Further features of the invention provide for the registry to be accessible from any one of the number of processors, for the registry to include a unique key corresponding to each object registered therein, and for the registry to contain a definition of each object, including its abstraction and state.

[0017] Still further features of the invention provide for each processor to include an interaction manager process, for the interaction manager process to regulate the interaction between any object located on the processor, and hardware devices and resources associated with the processor, for the interaction manager process to serve any object associated with the particular processor with any one or more of persistence, execution, user representation and input and output facilities, and for the interaction manager process to provide a transport layer for distribution and communication of objects associated with various processors.

[0018] The invention extends to an object for use in the application programming system described above, for the object to have a number of dynamic characteristics which are alterable at run-time, for the dynamic characteristics to include any one or more of a name, and a location of the object on the application programming system, for the dynamic characteristics to also include any one or more of the state of the object, its containment, whether by value or by reference, a multiple inheritance hierarchy of the object, object data, memory, actions and user interface attributes, for each object to have a self-maintaining storage mechanism, for each object in the application programming system to be self-documenting, and for each object in the application programming system to have a code generator operable to enable the object to transform itself dynamically.

[0019] The invention extends still further to a method of operation of an application

[0020] programming system, comprising the steps of:

[0021] providing a number of processors operable to execute software processes; providing a communication channel between the number of processors;

[0022] establishing a registry of objects co-operable to create an executable software application, the objects having a plurality of characteristics which are dynamically alterable at application run-time; and

[0023] defining a relationship between a number of objects contained in the registry to create the software application.

[0024] There is further provided for accessing the registry from any one of the number of processors, for including in the registry a unique key corresponding to each object registered therein, and for configuring the registry to contain a definition of each object registered therein, including its abstraction and state.

[0025] There is still further provided for including an interaction manager process in each processor of the application programming system, for regulating, by means of the interaction manager process, the interaction between any object located on the processor, and hardware devices and resources associated with the processor, for serving, by means of the interaction manager process, any object associated with the particular processor with any one or more of persistence, execution, user representation and input and output facilities, and for providing, by means of the interaction manager process, a transport layer for distribution and communication of objects associated with various processors.

[0026] There is yet further provided for including in each registered object a number of dynamic characteristics which are alterable at run-time, for including as part of the dynamic characteristics any one or more of a name, and a location of the object on the application programming system, for also including as part of the dynamic characteristics any one or more of the state of the object, its containment, whether by value or by reference, a multiple inheritance hierarchy of the object, object data, memory, actions and user interface attributes, for providing each object with a self-maintaining storage mechanism, for structuring each object in the application programming system to be self-documenting, and for including in each object in the application programming system a code generator operable to enable the object to transform itself dynamically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] One embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an application programming system according to the invention; and

[0029] FIGS. 2 to 6 are representations of an application program implemented by means of the application programming system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, in which like features of the invention are implemented by like numerals, an application programming system is indicated generally by reference numeral (1).

[0031] The application programming system (1) comprises a number of processors (2 a, 2 b and 2 c) operable to execute software processes thereon and a communication channel (4), in this embodiment a wide area network (WAN), between the processors. Each processor (2 a, 2 b and 2 c) has a registry (3 a, 3 b and 3 c) of objects associated with that particular processor. The objects in the various registries (3 a, 3 b and 3 c) are of a type well known and commonly applied in the technique of object-oriented programming which is widely utilised in the development of software applications. The objects in the various registries (3 a, 3 b and 3 c) are co-operable with each other to create an executable software application.

[0032] One processor (2 a) is designated as the root object server, and its registry contains details of all objects listed in the registries (3 a, 3 b and 3 c) of all the processors (2 a, 2 b and 2 c) in the network.

[0033] The objects listed in the various registries (3 a, 3 b and 3 c) are distinguished from prior art objects in that they have a plurality of additional characteristics, some of which are dynamically alterable at application run-time. These additional characteristics will be outlined in detail below.

[0034] 1. Essential Characteristics.

[0035] 1.1 Global Unique Object Classification & Definition

[0036] The registry (2 a, 2 b or 2 c) includes a unique key corresponding to each object registered therein. The unique key corresponding to an object allows for the global publishing of an object's specialization and an aggregation hierarchy of its abstractions. This information can be requested from the object root server (2 a) by using the object's unique. The published object definition determines the specifics of its abstraction and state.

[0037] In short the unique key is the publishing method to determine an object's generalization, specialization, mechanisms and how objects collaborate.

[0038] 1.2 Dynamic Name

[0039] The name of an object, which can be changed at execution time.

[0040] 1.3 Dynamic Location

[0041] The location of each object is stored as an object characteristic, usually as a network address, thereby enabling each object to be aware of its location on a global basis. The location format depends on the type of network transport layer or protocol being used in the application programming system (1). The object keeps as many locations as there are transport layers used to access the object. The location(s) of an object can be changed at execution time, in which instance the object will relocate itself to a new location leaving a trace to its new location, in order to resolve relationships that previously may have been defined or created.

[0042] 1.4 Internal Object Path

[0043] This is an internally used path used to determine the absolute relations of each level of hierarchical containment between objects.

[0044] 1.5 Events

[0045] Dynamic methods which may alter the states of both the essential and the dynamic characteristics, should the state of any object change.

[0046] 2. Dynamic Characteristics

[0047] 2.1 Properties

[0048] This is a dynamic collection of the state of the object, in the form of collection of data structures, containing the name and data for each state, which is stored using the persistence property of the object

[0049] 2.2 Dynamic Object Containment

[0050] Dynamic object containment allows the dynamic definition of an object's aggregation. It consists of a vector of data structures, each containing flags and identification information to determine the internal object path of the contained object. The flags define the various forms of containment. The vector of data is stored using the persistence property of the object.

[0051] An object supports various forms of containment:

[0052] 2.2.1 Dynamic Containment by Value

[0053] In this case an object contains other objects, thereby imparting characteristics and states to the contained objects. A contained object therefore is dependent on its enclosing object.

[0054] 2.2.2 Dynamic Containment by Reference

[0055] In this instance of containment, the containing object denotes homogeneous and heterogeneous collections of objects, which designate the aggregation of the containing object. (that is, a containing object can hold different types of objects in either a “owner” or “linked” relationship and keep track of “linked” sources and destinations.

[0056] 2.2 Dynamic Multiple Inheritance (DMI)

[0057] This is a vector keeping track of other objects that form part of the object's abstraction. This multiple inheritance hierarchy and abstraction of an object can be defined at execution time.

[0058] 2.4 Dynamic Object Data (DOD)

[0059] This is the encapsulated information of an object that defines or summarizes an object's current state.

[0060] 2.5 Memory

[0061] An object can keep track of all its state and abstraction changes over any defined time and/or space. This means an object memorizes all state changes and activities over a defined time and/or space which provides for the implementation of a Point-In-Time Status, which recalls the state of the object at any point in time.

[0062] 2.6 Actions

[0063] Actions are dynamically defined methods that define the operations that can be performed on an object. Actions can be altered, added or removed at execution time. Each action can have dynamically defined parameters that serve as input and output (resulting) information to the operation. An action is changed dynamically on interaction with another object or by interaction with a user interface.

[0064] On saving, the change is processed into an executable form, after which the object is available in its metamorphic form.

[0065] 2.7 Dynamic User Interface Attributes

[0066] This provides information needed for an object to interact with the user via the client application. These attributes have multiple layers to interact with multiple client-specific interfaces. These attributes serve as a representation of the object in any required client-specified form.

[0067] Each object in the application programming system (1) has a self-maintaining storage mechanism that allows for distributed serialized storage, referred to as the persistence mechanism of an object in the application system. Further, an object can document its abstraction for review. This information includes all object properties, states, actions etc. that encapsulate its abstraction.

[0068] The application programming system (1) implements a code generator which is incorporated within each object to enable the object to transform itself dynamically.

[0069] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the objects envisaged in this embodiment of the application programming system (1) are intelligent, as envisaged by the characteristics of Dynamic Entity and Action Abstraction, living, as evidenced by the characteristics of Location, Persistence and Dynamic Abstraction, and exhibit total recall, as seen in the characteristics of Memory and, in particular, Point-In-Time Status.

[0070] Each processor (2 a, 2 b and 2 c) of the application programming system (1) may include interaction manager process (10). The interaction manager process is the kernel for serving operations of an object and regulates the interaction between the object located on the processor, and hardware devices and resources associated with the processor. The purpose of the interaction manager process is to serve any object associated with the particular processor with any one or more of persistence, execution, user representation and input and output facilities. Since objects are the building blocks for applications it is not the purpose of the kernel to provide applications, but merely to manage and balance the hardware interaction with objects. It also provides transport layers for distribution and communication of objects, both remotely and locally, meaning that it can balance its tasks between different processors running the interaction manager process. It also provides base objects that can be dynamically inherited to interact with the object's dynamic user interface attributes.

[0071] It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the application programming system described above enables the implementation of distributed applications, even having a global scope. Thus applications can be constructed by using objects from servers that are distributed across the world. This is possible because individuals across the world can classify specialised objects to serve a specific purpose. Each individual will then publish on the root server (2 a) the classification of objects they have developed, and upload the developed objects. The published information and objects are then available for anyone else who needs to use any of these objects for whatever purpose, just as one would use software modules from a library or libraries, as is known in the prior art.

[0072] The invention may be further understood with reference to a particular application implemented on the application programming system (1). The application relates to an administration system for a business enterprise called ABC Computers which is a supplier of computer hardware and will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0073] The application is based on an object (100) called “ABC Computers” which is located on a root server (101) in the computer room at ABC Computer's premises. This root object (100) contains 3 further objects, namely “Products” (102), “Customers” (103) and “Suppliers” (104). These three contained objects are located on servers (105, 106 and 107) at different server sites A, B and C, respectively. The root object (100) also contains a fourth object “General Ledger” (108) located on a server at a server site E (109) belonging to a financial institution.

[0074] The “Products” object (102) contains other objects labeled “Computer A” (110) and “Computer B” (111) relating to different hardware products sold by the business enterprise. These objects (110) and (111) are located on the same server (105). Similarly, the “Customers” object (103) contains a further object called “John Smith” (112) located on the same server (106). Lastly, the object “Suppliers” (104) located on server (107) contains three objects called “Supplier A” (113), Supplier B” (114) and “Supplier C” (115). Of these, objects (113) and (114) are located on the same server (107) as the object “Suppliers” (104), whilst the object “Supplier C” (115) is located on a different server D (116).

[0075] In this manner, by defining the containment of each object, it is possible to create distributed applications in the manner described in the above example.

[0076] FIGS. 3 to 6 show the interaction between the different objects of the ABC Computers example in respect of a product sale, establishment of a new customer, the placing of a back order on suppliers, and the interaction with an accounting function, respectively. These interactions will not be described here in detail.

[0077] The invention therefore provides a simple and effective application programming system (1) for the implementation of distributed applications. 

1. In accordance with this invention there is provided an application programming system, comprising: a number of processors operable to execute software processes; a communication channel between the number of processors; a registry of objects co-operable to create an executable software application characterised in that the objects have a plurality of characteristics which are dynamically alterable at application run-time.
 2. An application programming system as claimed in claim 1 in which the registry is accessible from any one of the number of processors. 3 An application programming system as claimed in claim 2 in which the registry includes a unique key corresponding to each object registered therein.
 4. An application programming system as claimed in claim 3 in which the registry to contain a definition of the object, including its abstraction and state.
 5. An application programming system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which each processor includes an interaction manager process
 6. An application programming system as claimed in claim 5 in which the interaction manager process regulates the interaction between any object located on the processor, and hardware devices and resources associated with the processor
 7. An application programming system as claimed in either one of claims 5 or 6 in which the interaction manager process serves any object associated with the particular processor with any one or more of persistence, execution, user representation and input and output facilities
 8. An application programming system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 in which the interaction manager process provides a transport layer for distribution and communication of objects associated with various processors.
 9. An application programming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 in which an object for use in the application programming system
 10. An object as claimed in claim 9 in which have a number of dynamic characteristics which are alterable at run-time,
 11. An object as claimed in claim 10 in which the dynamic characteristics include any one or more of a name, and a location of the object on the application programming system. 12, An object as claimed in claim 9 in which the dynamic characteristics also includes any one or more of the state of the object, its containment, whether by value or by reference, a multiple inheritance hierarchy of the object, object data, memory, actions and user interface attributes
 13. An object as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12 in which each object has a self-maintaining storage mechanism
 14. An object as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13 which is self-documenting.
 15. An object as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14 which includes a code generator operable to enable the object to transform itself dynamically.
 16. A method of operation of an application programming system, comprising the steps of: providing a number of processors operable to execute software processes; providing a communication channel between the number of processors; establishing a registry of objects co-operable to create an executable software application, the objects having a plurality of characteristics which are dynamically alterable at application run-time; and defining a relationship between a number of objects contained in the registry to create the software application.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 16 in which the registry is accessible from any one of the number of processors
 18. A method as claimed in either one of claims 16 or 17 which provides for including in the registry a unique key corresponding to each object registered therein
 19. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 which provides for configuring the registry to contain a definition of each object registered therein, including its abstraction and state.
 20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19 which provides for including an interaction manager process in each processor of the application programming system
 21. A method as claimed claim 20 which provides for regulating, by means of the interaction manager process, the interaction between any object located on the processor, and hardware devices and resources associated with the processor
 22. A method as claimed in either one of claims 20 or 21 which also provides for serving, by means of the interaction manager process, any object associated with the particular processor with any one or more of persistence, execution, user representation and input and output facilities 23 A method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22 in which the interaction manager process provides a transport layer for distribution and communication of objects associated with various processors.
 24. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 23 in which a number of dynamic characteristics which are alterable at run-time are included in each registered object.
 25. A method as claimed in claim 24 in which the dynamic characteristics include any one or more of a name, and a location of the object on the application programming system
 26. A method as claimed in either one of claims 24 or 25 in which the dynamic characteristics also include any one or more of the state of the object, its containment, whether by value or by reference, a multiple inheritance hierarchy of the object, object data, memory, actions and user interface attributes.
 27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 26 in which each object is provided with a self-maintaining storage mechanism.
 28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 27 in which each object in the application programming system is structured to be self-documenting
 29. A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 28 which provides for including in each object in the application programming system a code generator operable to enable the object to transform itself dynamically. 